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    BPI Expert Faculty

    Kimo Kippen

    Founder

    Aloha Learning Advisors, LLC

    Key Takeaways

    • 1.He is known for launching Hilton Worldwide University, a platform that impacted 325,000 employees globally.
    • 2.Kippen was recognized as the Chief Learning Officer of the Year by CLO Magazine in 2015.
    • 3.He is a vocal advocate for linking lifelong learning and education infrastructure to employer training.
    • 4.Kippen is the Founder of Aloha Learning Advisors, a consultancy focused on learning and talent development.

    About Kimo

    Kimo Kippen is a recognized leader in learning and talent development, revered for transforming global workforces and serving as an expert faculty member at the Best Practice Institute.

    Who is Kimo Kippen?

    Kimo Kippen is the Founder of Aloha Learning Advisors, LLC, a consultancy focused on learning and talent development. As a thought leader and international keynote speaker, he inspires business and civic leaders to embrace innovative approaches to talent management and lifelong learning. Kippen also co-founded the Shape The Future Consortium, further extending his influence in shaping the future of education and workforce preparedness.

    He currently serves as Program Director for the Learning & Development Executives Council (US) and the Learning & Development Council (Europe) for The Conference Board, where he is also a Senior Fellow for Human Capital. Kippen contributes significantly to educational governance, serving on the Board of Directors for Education Reimagined and in advisory roles for various institutions, including CAEL, Defense Acquisition University, Strategic Education Inc., SkillSoft, and Rochester Institute of Technology.

    Quick facts about Kimo Kippen

    RoleFounder
    CompanyAloha Learning Advisors, LLC
    ExpertiseLearning & Talent Management, Human Resources, Workforce Development
    Notable forTransforming learning at Hilton Worldwide, Chief Learning Officer of the Year 2015
    BPI affiliationExpert Faculty member

    What is Kimo Kippen known for?

    Kimo Kippen is known for his significant contributions to the fields of learning and talent development, including:

    • Launching Hilton Worldwide University, impacting 325,000 employees across 94 countries, which contributed to improved guest scores and a 27% increase in stock price post-IPO.
    • Centralizing Hilton's global learning function, enhancing a comprehensive and unified training approach.
    • Serving as Chief Learning Officer and Vice President of Global Workforce Initiatives at Hilton Worldwide.
    • His extensive 21-year career at Marriott International, including leadership roles in human resources and learning.
    • Being recognized as Chief Learning Officer of the Year in 2015 by CLO Magazine.
    • His advocacy for lifelong learning and education infrastructure linked to employer training, as a Senior Fellow for Human Capital at The Conference Board.
    • Co-founding the Shape The Future Consortium to advance the future of learning and talent development.

    What is Kimo Kippen's background and experience?

    Kimo Kippen brings decades of experience from leadership roles in major global hospitality companies and significant contributions to educational and talent development organizations. His career began in operations within the hospitality industry before transitioning into human resources and learning.

    He notably spent 21 years at Marriott International, where he held various positions, including Vice President of Human Resources for Renaissance Hotels and Resorts, North America, and contributed to the Center of Excellence for Learning. Following his tenure at Marriott, Kippen joined Hilton Worldwide, where he served as Chief Learning Officer (CLO) and Vice President of Global Workforce Initiatives.

    Education and Professional Affiliations:

    • MS: Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT)
    • BS: University of Hawai’i
    • Graduate of Gestalt Institute of Cleveland’s Post Graduate Program
    • Former Chairman of the Board for the Association for Talent Development (ATD)
    • Former Chairman of APIA Scholars
    • Adjunct professor/advisor at Catholic University of America and George Mason University

    What topics does Kimo Kippen speak and write about?

    Kimo Kippen focuses on critical topics within learning and talent management, human resources, organizational development, and workforce development. He frequently addresses the intersection of education and workforce preparedness, emphasizing how robust educational infrastructures and employer-led training initiatives can construct a resilient national workforce. His discussions often center on creating greater access to learning and education, recognizing its profound impact on individuals' quality of life and community development.

    Kippen advocates for lifelong learning, stressing its importance beyond traditional K-12 education and into professional development. He explores how corporations can leverage learning and advancement opportunities as powerful tools for employee attraction and retention, particularly appealing to younger generations who prioritize continuous learning and diverse experiences. His insights are grounded in his experience transforming learning cultures at large global organizations like Hilton and Marriott, making him a sought-after speaker on developing talent strategies that drive organizational success and societal benefit.

    How does Kimo Kippen contribute to the Best Practice Institute?

    As an expert faculty member of the Best Practice Institute, Kimo Kippen contributes his wealth of knowledge and experience in learning, talent management, and organizational development. His insights are invaluable for BPI’s mission to explore and disseminate best practices that foster Most Loved Workplaces® and drive organizational excellence. While specific webinar titles on record are not available, his expertise aligns directly with the SPARK Model, particularly in areas concerning how organizations cultivate Skills and create impactful cultures through learning.

    Kippen's deep understanding of talent development and human capital strategies enriches BPI’s research and thought leadership, providing members with perspectives on how to build workforces that are not only skilled but also engaged and committed. His advocacy for lifelong learning and accessible education supports BPI’s vision of creating environments where employees thrive and organizations achieve sustainable growth.

    Where can you learn more from Kimo Kippen?

    To learn more from Kimo Kippen, explore his work through Aloha Learning Advisors, LLC, and his contributions to The Conference Board. You can also find insights from his roles with Education Reimagined and his advisory positions with various educational and talent development organizations.

    Background & Perspective

    Background

    Kimo Kippen has decades of leadership experience in global hospitality and talent development. His career began in hotel operations before he transitioned into human resources and learning. He spent 21 years at Marriott International, holding key roles such as Vice President of Human Resources for Renaissance Hotels and Resorts, North America. Following this, he became the Chief Learning Officer (CLO) and Vice President of Global Workforce Initiatives at Hilton Worldwide.

    Areas of Expertise

    Kippen's work focuses on a range of critical topics within human capital and organizational effectiveness, including:

    • Learning and Talent Management
    • Human Resources
    • Organizational Development
    • Workforce Development and Transformation
    • Talent Strategy
    • Lifelong Learning
    • Education Infrastructure

    Key Contributions

    As CLO at Hilton, Kimo Kippen launched Hilton Worldwide University, a comprehensive learning platform that impacted 325,000 employees across 94 countries. This initiative was credited with contributing to improved guest scores. In 2015, CLO Magazine recognized him as the Chief Learning Officer of the Year for his transformative work. He is also the co-founder of the Shape The Future Consortium and serves as Program Director for multiple councils at The Conference Board, where he is a Senior Fellow for Human Capital.

    Education and Affiliations

    • MS, Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT)
    • BS, University of Hawai’i
    • Graduate, Gestalt Institute of Cleveland’s Post Graduate Program
    • Founder, Aloha Learning Advisors, LLC
    • Former Chairman of the Board, Association for Talent Development (ATD)
    • Board of Directors, Education Reimagined
    • Advisor, CAEL, Defense Acquisition University, Strategic Education Inc., SkillSoft, and RIT

    Areas of Expertise

    Learning And Talent ManagementHuman ResourcesOrganizational DevelopmentWorkforce DevelopmentLifelong LearningEducation Infrastructure

    Research Topics

    LeadershipTalent StrategyOrganizational DevelopmentWorkforce Transformation

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    Frequently asked questions

    Best Practice Institute

    Best Practice Institute is the research organization behind Most Loved Workplace® certification, the SPARK Model, the Love of Workplace Index™ (LOWI™), and The Workplace Report.

    The Workplace Report

    The Workplace Report is BPI's original workplace culture research and editorial briefing series for CEOs, CHROs, people leaders, talent leaders, and employer-brand teams. It turns BPI's 25 years of research, Most Loved Workplace® certification data, SPARK findings, and current workforce signals into practical analysis leaders can use.

    The report format includes executive summaries, research-backed articles, company examples, methodology notes, and practical implications for retention, hiring, culture, leadership, and employee experience. New research and analysis is published on an ongoing editorial cadence at /workplace-report.